Monday, April 13, 2015

TLC Book Tour - The Dead Key by D.M. Pulley

I love the premise of D.M. Pulley's debut novel, The Dead Key. In 1998, a structural engineer evaluating a bank that's for sale discovers that the safe deposit boxes in the bank's vaults are still there, locked. And, what it makes it even more intriguing is that the story is based on one of Pulley's own experiences as a structural engineer. While evaluating a building, she found a basement vault filled with unclaimed safety deposit boxes.

In 1978, the First Bank of Cleveland closed overnight at the same time the city of Cleveland was in financial trouble. There had been rumors the bank was in trouble, and stories of women disappearing. Now, twenty years later, Iris Latch is sent into the bank to survey it for a possible sale. She's stunned to find the building abandoned just the way it was the day the doors were locked. Files are intact. But, there's still a guard on duty twenty-four hours a day. And, as Iris uncovers stories of other women who were once in the bank, and disappeared, she's warned not to disturb the ghosts. But, keys and shorthand journals and personnel files are too tempting, and Iris continues to look for answers. The stories of Doris and Max and Beatrice should be warnings. Cleveland's powerful and wealthy men had secrets to keep, and those secrets can reach across twenty years.

As I said, I love the premise of this story. And, I was particularly interested because of the Cleveland setting. But, I never warmed up to any of the characters, even Iris and Beatrice. And, the story seemed repetitive, the characters panicky and the story too long. But, don't take my word for it. Give it a chance, and come back and let me know what you think.

Two readers will have that chance. The publicist will give away one copy, and I'll give one away. If you'd like to win, email me at Lesa.Holstine@gmail.com. Your subject line should read "Win The Dead Key." Please include your name and mailing address. Entries from the U.S. only, please. The giveaway will end Thursday, April 16 at 6 PM CT.

About Me

I have been a library manager/administrator for over 30 years, in Ohio, Florida, Arizona, and, now, Indiana. Winner of the 2011 Arizona Library Association Outstanding Library Service Award. I am a contributing Book Reviewer for Library Journal, Mystery Readers Journal, and ReadertoReader.com. Author of the "Mystery Fiction" chapter in Genreflecting: A Guide to Popular Reading Interests (7th ed.) Winner of the 2009 and 2010 Spinetingler Awards for Best Reviewer.

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Review Policy

It's an honor to be asked to review books, and I'm grateful to all the publishers, publicists, and authors who send me books. Thank you. Reviews will appear on my blog if I've had a chance to read, and finish, the book. If I do not finish a book, I won't review it, and I will not respond to emails asking when, or if, I'll be reviewing a book.

My reviews are only my opinion, and do not reflect the views of the Evansville Vanderburgh Public Library.

At the present time, I do not accept books in e-book format.

Disclosure of review copies

My Oct. 19, 2009 blog provides full disclosure that I only receive review copies of books, with no other compensation. All review copies are marked as such. If there any any questions, please feel free to contact me.